Transformation; Change in form, appearance, nature and character
We here the word, “Transformation” a lot – at least I do… I receive Christian emails all day long; “Kingdom Transformation”, “Missions Transformation”, Transformation conference’s, events, etc – so, why do I see all these “Non-Transformed” Christians roaming our Church’s?!
“It is an amazing arrogance that allows Christians to so readily believe that their mental understanding of things is anywhere close to that of Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6). I think the intended effect of that often misused line is this: if Jesus is the Truth, then you probably aren’t”! –Rohr-
Paul says it best for us in Romans 12:2 – “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” We must get away from our narcissistic western religious views and renew our mind with the fact that Christianity is not about right and wrong, it is about life and death. For far to many people, no life journey is necessary because we think we already have all the answers at the beginning. “The bible says,… the Church says, etc”
One of the young guys that I disciple on a regular basis called me the other day with a crisis – he hates his job, could be loosing it and did not know what to do; This person has been struggling with integrity and finding himself for most of his 20something life; I said, “This is a perfect time for you to hover above all the chaos and be transformed. Not just changed or allow this to make you a better person; but, transform who you are and not only that, but embrace and find joy (life) in the transformation! Only Jesus can transform you, you cannot transform yourself; you get to sit, wait, trust, embrace, contemplate and renew… you cannot find it, it finds you!”
A large percentage of religious people become and remain quite rigid thinkers because their religion taught them that to be faithful, obedient, and stalwart in the ways of God, they had to create order. They are not bad people; they simply never learned much about wisdom, paradox, or mystery as the very nature of faith. When so many become professional church workers without going through spiritual transformation at any deep level, religious work becomes a career, and church becomes something one “attends”. Real transformation is not called for or even desired. This has been going on for centuries, and in all religions. –Rohr-
I am tired of trying to change; I long to be transformed… continued…
